This volume shows that in todays globalized world, clusters are an important factor in explaining the different growth rates of firms, cities and regions. Drawing on the expertise of an international contributor team, it covers topics such as clusters and small and medium-sized enterprise competitiveness, innovation and science parks, clusters and multinationals, and information and communication technology clusters. It reveals great diversity in terms of the origin of clusters, the organizational relationships at play, and the characteristics of the firms involved. Taking lessons from a rich variety of literature and empirical cases, the book provides valuable insights for regional development and industrial policy.
Economic Clusters and Globalization will be of interest to scholars and policymakers in economic geography, regional studies, entrepreneurship and international business.
Preface. Francisco Puig and Berrbizne Urzelai. Acknowledgements.
Part I. Cluster network advantage and organizational relationships
1. Agglomerations, clusters and industrial districts: Evolution and opportunities for future research. Miguel Gonzalez-Loureiro, Francisco Puig and Berrbizne Urzelai. 2. Polish clusters: the impact of intra-cluster cooperation facilitated by cluster organisations on SMEs competitiveness. Barbara Jankowska and Marta Götz. 3. Sitting in the dock of the industrial district. The role of supporting organizations in the transmission of information and knowledge. Xavier Molina-Morales, Luis Martínez-Cháfer, David Valiente-Bordanova and Josep Capó-Vicedo. 4. The location in a science park and firm innovative performance: The importance of moderating variables. Eva Pelechano-Barahona, Rocío González-Sánchez and Fernando E. García-Muiña. 5. Spin-Offs and Clusters: an application to the information technology sector in Brazil and Spain. Flávio M. Coelho-Borges, Valmir E. Hoffmann and Maria T. Martinez-Fernández.
Part II. Clusters and internationalization: local firms in global contexts
6. Globalization strategies and economic performances in Italian industrial districts. Marco Bettiol, Mauro Capestro, Maria T. Chiarvesio and Eleonora Di Maria. 7. A clusters internationalization platform as a springboard for internationalization of firms in the age of digitalization. Aihie Osarenkhoe and Daniella Fjellstróm. 8. The emergence of a compatriot agglomeration - a multiple case study of FDI location decision making. Markus Laine. 9. Multinationals and entrepreneurship: the case of Indian IT services clusters. Polavarapu M. Rao. 10. Emerging country multinationals in the Spanish hotel industry. An analysis from the tourist districts theory. Bartolomé Marco-Lajara, Enrique Claver-Cortés, Mercedes Úbeda-García, Francisco García-Lillo and Patrocinio del Carmen Zaragoza-Sáez.
